ASPECTOS EPIDEMIOLÓGICOS, COMPORTAMENTAIS E GENÉTICOS DO ALCOOLISMO EM UMA AMOSTRA DA POPU­ LAÇÃO DO VALE DO RIO PARDO, RS

Alcoholism is a worldwide public health problem, but more adequate preventive or therapeutic approaches depend on knowledge about the problem locally. Accordingly, this study investigated some epidemiological, behavioral, and genetic aspects related to alcoholism in theRio PardoValley, RioGrande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The obtained results revealed a prevalence of men with a low social status and little education within the region’s alcoholics. An association between smoking (tobacco) and alcoholism and also a larger consumption of cocaine, tranquilizers, LSD and/or crack among the alcoholics than within the general population was noted, but there was no significant difference with marijuana and amphetamine consumption among the questioned. A family aggregation for this pathology was observed, which can suggest a genetic component involved in the development of a predisposition or for the disorder’s vulnerability.